ABSTRACT
Graham Owen: On day two, we asked our first panel their advice on how best to pursue the enterprise of interdisciplinary ethics teaching in architecture, and what might be the pitfalls that can be expected along the way. Some were concerned about over-institutionalization, and the risk that “centers for ethics” often run: that of being seen as the only place where ethics is dealt with. Over-institutionalization suggests that ethics is not dealt with by individuals, but is taken care of by someone else. In a broader context, the example was given of a national leader, at some moment of crisis, consulting with his or her ethics advisor: ethical judgment did not need to be exercised by the national leader him-or herself, as somebody else had that job. Our guests counseled us to insure that we disseminate throughout each professional program the ability to address ethical questions effectively. This did not mean that centers for ethics should disband, but rather that the centers see that dissemination as essential to their role.
